Improvement in boots and shoes



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE THOMAS E. EVANS, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN BOOTS AND SHOES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 170,359, dated November 23, 1875; application filed August 24, 1875.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS R. EVANS, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, have invented certain Improvements in Boots or Shoes, of which the following is a specification:

The object of my invention is to so construct a boot that, without detracting from its permanency and durability, it will fit more easily and yield more freely to the movements of the instep and ankle than ordinary boots. This object I attain in the manner which I will now proceed to describe, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, in which- Figure l is a side view of a boot made according to my invention; Fig. 2, a plan View, and Fig. 3 a view illustrating my invention.

From the upper A, and forming part of the same, extends a tongue, a, to about the point :10, where it is united to the leg B; and in the upper are out a number of openings, m, arranged in two rows, one on each side of the tongue, as shown in Fig. 3, which illustrates part of the upper flattened out for the better exhibition of the openings. These perforations of the upper are backed with elastic fabric, so that when subjected to internal pressure by the instep of the wearers foot thefabric will yield, and owing to the openings in the upper the latter will also yield and permit the expansion or stretching of the fabric to a limited extent.

I prefer to make the openings inclined or curved, as shown in the drawing, as openings of this shape and arrangement will permit a more free expansion of the upper than straight openings. This will be best understood by referring to Fig. 3, in which the dark portions represent the openings in the upper before the latter is stretched, the dotted lines representing the position of the same openings when the upper has been subjected to internal pressure.

The inclined openings, although they permit the stretching of the upper to a limited extent, do not allow it to be permanently dis arranged, for the body of the upper is connected to the tongue to by the strips n between the openings, and these strips tend to preserve the integrity of the upper'while it yields to the pressure oi the instep, owing to the openings backed by the elastic fabric.

Part of the front of the leg of the boot is cut away, so that on each side of the leg there is an opening, W, extending from the tongue at as far back as the line q, and from the upper to the point illustrated in the drawing. Behind these openings is elastic fabric, which insures the accurate fitting of the boot to the ankle, permits the ready introduction of the foot into the boot, and adds to the comfort of the wearer.

I claim as my invention- 1. A boot or shoe in whiohinclinedor curved openings m, backed by elastic fabric, are arranged on the instep, all substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. The openings W, backed by elastic fabric, and each closedon one side by the tongue a, and on the other three sides by the upper and material of the leg, as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing, witnesses.

THOS. R. EVANS. Witnesses:

HARRY SMITH, HUBERT HoWsoN. 

